Odeon Star Semaphore Cinemas Explained

The Odeon Star Semaphore Cinemas, usually referred to as the Odeon Star, is an independent multiplex cinema in the beachside Adelaide suburb of Semaphore, South Australia. It is the oldest purpose-built cinema in Adelaide, opened on 22 May 1920 as the Wondergraph Picture Palace.

History

Picturedrome

In September 1910, before there were any indoor picture theatres in Semaphore, the Continental Wondergraph Company bought land on the esplanade, intending to establish a tea garden and open-air cinema.[1] On Monday 26 December, Wondergraph gave the inaugural screening at its "Picturedrome",[2] although the construction of the kiosk and tea garden had been delayed. The seating faced the sea,[3] and several silent films were projected onto a solid concrete "silver wall", a new technology claimed to have been brought to Australia by the European company.[4]

In winter, the Greater Wondergraph Company (formed in Adelaide in 1911[5] [6]) showed films at the Semaphore Town Hall, which was referred to as the Semaphore Wondergraph.[7] [8] In July 1912, a film of the British Antarctic Expedition led by Captain Scott was shown at the Semaphore Wondergraph.[9] Competitor Ozone Theatres also used the town hall for showing films in the winter months.[10]

A scheme to enclose the Picturedrome was advertised in November 1914,[11] but this was apparently not concluded. Films were last advertised as being shown there at the end of summer in March 1915.[12]

In December 1917, an advertisement refers to the "Semaphore Wondergraph Residential Cafe", right opposite the beach, for short stays.[13]

The Picturedrome, which seated 1,000 patrons, was adjacent to the Customs Boarding Station, which still stands today, on the corner of the Esplanade and Semaphore Road.[14]

New indoor cinema

In 1920, Wondergraph had a "palatial" new indoor cinema built on Semaphore Road,[15] to cater for the people of the Lefevre Peninsula in winter. The magnificently fitted out building was designed by prominent South Australian architect Eric Habershon McMichael[16] and built by Messrs. Emmett Brothers. By this time the trams were running to Port Adelaide. The theatre opened on Saturday 22 May 1920 with the screening of the 1920 American silent comedy film What's Your Husband Doing?.[17] It had a seating capacity of 1,246 in orchestra and balcony levels, described at the time as "palatial".[17]

In September 1920 Dan Clifford bought Wondergraph's suburban circuit, including the Wondergraph Semaphore, which cost him £15,000.[18] [19] [20] In 1921 the freehold was transferred to Clifford, and then in November 1923 to his company, D. Clifford Theatres Ltd.[21] A vaudeville troupe known as The Dandies performed at the Wondergraph before its name change.[14]

It was renamed Star Theatre in 1930 (like most other cinemas in the Clifford Theatre Circuit), and in January 1931, sound equipment was installed to cater for talkies, in order to compete with the Semaphore Ozone Theatre.[22] No, No Nanette was screened as the inaugural talkie at the cinema.[21]

After a takeover by Greater Union Cinemas in 1946[22] it was extensively refurbished[21] or rebuilt,[23] and was reopened as the Odeon Star on 12 June 1952.[24] [25] It was still owned by Clifford Theatres at this point.[26]

With the beginning of the TV era in 1959, attendances declined, and the cinema eventually closed on 13 November 1976,[21] and the building converted into a furniture shop.[22]

After a few changes of hands and function, it was renovated and restored to its original purpose, and has continued to operate as the Odeon Star since December 1991. It was reopened as the Odeon Star on 19 December 1991, initially with only circle seating, accommodating 320 patrons, while the stalls area continued as "Hoff's Secondhand Emporium" until 1997. It was once again refurbished in 1997, becoming a three-screen cinema and (seating 300, 150 and 140). It was part of the Wallis Cinemas chain for some time,[27] [28] but by 2009 was being run by independent operators, then Terry, Jacky and Joe Proud.[29] The Prouds put it up for sale in November 2018.[30]

The Odeon Star celebrated its 100th anniversary on 22 May 2020.[31] [22]

Today

the Odeon Star shows new release mainstream and arthouse films, charging for any session, any day.[32]

It is also one of several venues for the Adelaide Film Festival in October each year.[33]

External links

-34.8386°N 138.4848°W

Notes and References

  1. News: Semaphore prospects. . . LXXV . 19,914 . South Australia . 8 September 1910 . 20 December 2022 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  2. News: Wondergraph at Semaphore. . . LXXV . 20,007 . South Australia . 26 December 1910 . 20 December 2022 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
  3. News: Wondergraph. . . 1 . 253 . South Australia . 26 December 1910 . 20 December 2022 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
  4. News: Wondergraph at the Semaphore. . . 1 . 254 . South Australia . 28 December 1910 . 20 December 2022 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  5. News: General news. . . LIV . 16,461 . South Australia . 20 July 1911 . 27 December 2022 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
  6. News: Entertainment enterprise. . . 2 . 431 . South Australia . 22 July 1911 . 27 December 2022 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
  7. News: Semaphore Wondergraph. . . 3. 739 . South Australia . 19 July 1912 . 31 December 2022 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  8. News: Semaphore Wondergraph. . . 3 . 770 . South Australia . 28 August 1912 . 31 December 2022 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
  9. News: Semaphore Wondergraph. . . 3 . 750 . South Australia . 31 July 1912 . 20 December 2022 . 10 . National Library of Australia.
  10. Web site: Hugh Waterman and sons extend the Ozone cinema chain from Adelaide's Semaphore in 1911 to eastern states. AdelaideAZ . 17 December 2022.
  11. News: Advertising . . LVII . 17,501 . South Australia . 17 November 1914 . 31 December 2022 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  12. News: Advertising . . LXXX . 21,319 . South Australia . 10 March 1915 . 31 December 2022 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  13. News: Advertising . . LX . 18,472 . South Australia . 27 December 1917 . 31 December 2022 . 9 . National Library of Australia.
  14. Web site: Wondergraph Theatre . Port Adelaide Historical Society . Mosaic Online . 16 May 2021 . 22 December 2022.
  15. News: Palatial picture theatre. . . 7 . 40 . South Australia . 21 May 1920 . 21 December 2022 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  16. Web site: This week marks the 100th Anniversary of the opening of the Semaphore Wondergraph Theatre, now the Semaphore Odeon Star Cinema.. Facebook. Port Adelaide Historical Society Inc.. 24 May 2020.
  17. News: Semaphore Wondergraph: palatial new theatre opened. . XI . 3175 . South Australia . 24 May 1920 . 21 December 2022 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
  18. Web site: Semaphore Wondergraph . History of South Australian Picture Theatres . 9 November 2019 . 21 December 2022.
  19. News: Theatrical enterprise. . . 7 . 58 . South Australia . 24 September 1920 . 21 December 2022 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
  20. News: Semaphore Wondergraph changes hand. . . 7 . 58 . South Australia . 24 September 1920 . 21 December 2022 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
  21. Web site: Wondergraph / Star / Odeon, Semaphore . CAARP: Cinema and Audience Research Project . 22 December 2022.
  22. Web site: This week marks the 100th Anniversary of the opening of the Semaphore Wondergraph Theatre, now the Semaphore Odeon Star Cinema.. Facebook. Port Adelaide Historical Society Inc.. 24 May 2020.
  23. News: New Theatre . . 94 . 29,225 . South Australia . 12 June 1952 . 22 December 2022 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
  24. News: Big crowd at new theatre opening . . 94 . 29,226 . South Australia . 13 June 1952 . 22 December 2022 . 13 . National Library of Australia.
  25. News: The odd spot . . 58 . 8,997 . South Australia . 10 June 1952 . 22 December 2022 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
  26. News: Sema4's New Odeon Star Highly Praised . . 66 . South Australia . 12 June 1952 . 22 December 2022 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
  27. Web site: Odeon Star Semaphore in Adelaide, AU . Cinema Treasures . Ken. Roe. 29 July 2020.
  28. Web site: Semaphore Odeon Star Cinema originally Wondergraph Picture Theatre built 1920, South Australia . Flickr . 29 July 2020 . Contemplari . 29 July 2020.
  29. Web site: Contact us. Odeon Star Semaphore Cinemas . 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091025072229/http://odeonstar.com.au/contact-us/ . 25 October 2009 . live . 16 December 2022.
  30. Web site: Kellner . Lydia . Want to carry on the tradition at the Odeon Star Cinema? . realcommercial.com.au . 6 November 2018 . 22 December 2022.
  31. Web site: Semaphore Odeon Star Cinema originally the Wondergraph Picture Theatre of 1920, South Australia . Flickr . 22 December 2019 . 16 December 2022.
  32. Web site: Home . Odeon Star Semaphore Cinemas . 31 December 2022.
  33. Web site: Venues . Adelaide Film Festival . 3 September 2020 . 31 December 2022.

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